Esteghlal Would Secure ACL Knockout Stage with Win Over Al Rayyan
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Victory for either Iran’s Esteghlal or Al Rayyan of Qatar in Group D of the AFC Champions League would secure their passage into the knockout stage with a game to spare.
The match has been scheduled to take place in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on Monday.
Esteghlal played out a 1-1 draw with Al Ain on its last appearance in Tehran on Matchday Four when 90,000 spectators turned out to see the Iranian giant maintains its unbeaten run and remains on top of the standings.
Al Rayyan talisman Rodrigo Tabata scored the decisive goal as the Qatari team defeated Al Hilal 2-1 to claim its first victory of what is also an undefeated campaign and moves level on six points with Monday’s opponent.
With the sides playing out a 2-2 draw in the opening game of the group stage, three points for either ensures a better head-to-head record and would relieve any pressure going into the final round of fixtures.
Esteghlal, who has never lost at home to a Qatari side on the continent, warmed up for the game with a 2-1 league win over Naft Tehran on Thursday while Al Rayyan welcomes Sebastian Soria back into the fold after the striker served a one-match ban.
